The NSW SES advises people in the following area(s) to PREPARE TO EVACUATE due to current dangerous, rising major flooding:
‘Low lying properties in Uki, especially along Kyogle Rd, Meadow Place and Smiths Creek. You should monitor the situation and prepare to evacuate so that you can safely evacuate when instructed to do so by NSW SES,’ they said.
‘Wherever possible, you should prepare to stay with family or friends, or make other accommodation arrangements. If you remain in the area, you may become trapped without power, water, and other essential services. It may be too dangerous for NSW SES to rescue you.’
What are we expecting?
Based on the predictions from the Bureau of Meteorology, rainfall associated with Tropical
Cyclone Alfred may cause rapid river rises and extensive flooding along NSW coastal rivers.
Heavy and locally intense rainfall is forecast from Wednesday into the weekend over Northern NSW. Flash flooding is possible. High tides and large waves are expected to increase the flood risk and impacts in low lying coastal areas.
This event may change quickly. NSW SES will monitor the situation and update warnings if the situation changes.
What you need to do:
If you have a Home or Business Emergency Plan, follow it. Otherwise, have a conversation and plan for what you will do and take with you if you need to evacuate.
Have your mobile phone close and pack your charger, battery-powered radio, medicine, rain gear, warm clothes, blankets, baby and pet items, water, food, torch, something to attract attention, and valuables like photos and insurance or banking records.
Wear enclosed shoes and pack warm clothes for at least three days to manage unseasonably cool conditions.
Check your vehicle fuel levels and towed equipment (e.g., horse floats, trailers) to ensure you can safely evacuate.
Arrange to evacuate to the home of family or friends who are in a safe location away from present and potential flooding. Consider how to transport your pet(s) and companion animals.
Lift important belongings up onto tables, beds, benches, and shelves above predicted flood levels.
Collect or create sandbags by filling pillowcases or shopping bags with sand and place them around doorways and in toilets and over drains to prevent rising sewage.
Relocate waste containers, chemicals, and poisons well above flood level.
Investigate whether there are other hazards (e.g., severe storms, landslip, flash floods) that will impact your ability to evacuate.
Avoid storm drains and pipes, ditches, ravines, creeks, and rivers.
Never drive, walk, ride through, play or swim in floodwater – it is dangerous, toxic, and may void your car insurance. If it’s flooded, forget it. Fines apply.
Obey all signs about road closures and instructions from emergency services.
People working or camping along the river should monitor river heights and be prepared to relocate to higher ground.
If you evacuate register at Register.Find.Reunite https://register.redcross.org.au so that your friends, family and emergency services can be informed that you are safe.
For more information:
Listen to your local ABC radio station which can be found at reception.abc.net.au ABC North Coast 720 AM / 94.5FM or ABC News Radio 98.5 FM.
Download the Hazards Near Me app and set your watch zones to get warning information for your areas.
Follow us on social media @NSWSES or visit our website at www.ses.nsw.gov.au.
Learn about your risk at www.ses.nsw.gov.au/knowyourrisk.
Check latest weather, warnings, rainfall and river heights at www.bom.gov.au/nsw.
Check road closures at www.livetraffic.com.au or 132 701 or your local Council.
Check disruptions to public transport at www.transportnsw.info/alerts or call the Transport Infoline on 131 500.
For information on temporary school closures in your area, check www.education.nsw.gov.au/schooling/school-operational-status.
For emergency assistance during a flood, storm or tsunami, call the NSW SES on 132 500. In a life-threatening emergency, call Triple Zero (000).
For four decades The Echo has printed the stories some people loved, some people hated, and some pretended not to read. If you want us to keep telling the truth, the real truth, not the sugar-coated version. We’ll need your support to keep the presses rolling. 
